The incumbent will be assigned to the Nuclear Medicine Service with primary responsibility in the Nuclear Cardiology Section Stress Lab(s). The Electrocardiographic Technician (EKG) is an individual trained to perform diagnostic and stress test EKGs on both inpatients and outpatients, performing all associated clinical, administrative, and clerical duties required for Nuclear Cardiac Stress Testing, as well as support of other Sections within the Nuclear Medicine Service, as appropriate.
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Licensure or Certification: Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determination GS-04: Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-03) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an 7 associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. 3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. 4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. 5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. Grade Determination GS-05: (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-04) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR (b) Education. Successful completion of [4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or] a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. 3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. Grade Determination GS-06: (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-05) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 1. Ability to recognize special patient needs such as disabilities, impaired mobility, and complicating medical conditions in order to prepare and position the patient for the prescribed procedure. 2. Knowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests. 3. Knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment. 4. Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action. 5. Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing. (c) Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. Grade Determination GS-07: (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-06) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of the equipment, standard tests and procedures, and typical readings including arrhythmias and abnormalities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize, report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias. 2. Knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures. 3. Ability to modify procedures/positions to obtain the correct results with patients with complicating conditions such as amputations, Parkinson's disease, structural defects, and scar tissue. 4. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians. 5. Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation. (c) Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications. Preferred Experience: Independently operate stress testing equipment to perform specialized studies including set up and monitoring of stress lab as well as Nuclear Medicine patients undergoing monitored procedures. Basic Life Support (BLS) certified by the American Heart Association; American Heart Association Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (AHA ACLS) Certification preferred. IV competency. Adequate assessment and physical examination skills and ability to assess and monitor hemodynamic status of patients. Experience in inpatient/acute care setting is preferred. Advanced EKG interpretation skills. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04- GS-07 Physical Requirements: The work requires long hours of continuous activity. Considerable manual dexterity is required to assemble and set up supplies, instruments, and equipment. Lifting, transporting materials and a lot of walking is required on a regular basis. Duties may involve frequent bending, reaching, and stretching to set-up and disassemble equipment. Employee will be required to pull and push moderately heavy objects, primarily but not limited to anesthesia machines, equipment, and supply carts. He or She will also be required to transport items in a timely manner to areas within and outside the operating room area. Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over).
Duties are but not limited to: GS 4/5: The incumbent assists with electrocardiography procedures, i.e. Holter application and scanning, event monitor application and monitoring, ECG management, Nuclear and Non-Nuclear stress testing, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring studies and Ankle Brachial Index vascular studies. Assists with the operation of diagnostic medical equipment as a part of the treatment of patients, supports registered nurse and physicians in use of equipment. Assistance includes exercise stress testing system, Holter Monitor and Event Monitor Scanning and Ankle Brachial Index testing and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Receives requests and/or consults for procedures. Under close supervision the incumbent learns to interpret standardized requests from physicians for appropriateness of requested. Learns to instruct patients during pre-procedure sessions to assure the confidence and cooperation of patient during procedures. Learns and explains various procedures including need for positions on the table or treadmill, monitor equipment and adverse reactions to stressing agents. Learns and explains requirements for their accurate monitoring and the necessity of diary entries. Answers questions asked by patient or family members. Assists with routine Medical Instrument Technician duties. Standardized duties are performed under close supervision. Assists MI Tech work with Holter/Event Monitoring specialty under close supervision. This specialty area requires experience in applying, operating, and instructing in Holter and Event Monitory equipment, as well as compiling of data, revising reports and completing reports for event monitoring. GS 6/7: Performs patient evaluation, preparation, setup, and administers baseline and stress EKG with appropriate tracing interpretation and monitoring of inpatients and outpatients using the highest quality of technical skill, compatible with in place accreditation standards. Provides the supervising provider (ex: Physician and/or Nurse Practitioner) with the most accurate EKG tracing(s) and clinical care/reporting possible. Enters and retrieves data into/from the electronic medical record (CPRS), as well as data transfer and management into support systems (ex: PACS, VISTA Imaging, and Muse Tower Storage System). Set up patients for treatment or testing, as needed within Nuclear Medicine Service, including starting IV, directing, escorting, or assisting patients to clinical or imaging rooms, monitoring patients, including independently when the Physician, provider/Nurse Practitioner, or Nuclear Medicine or PET Technologist leaves an examination room or patient area; sets up equipment for providers, technologists, etc. Takes and records vital signs into automated/manual medical records. Closely monitor patients throughout studies performed within Nuclear Medicine Service, assess patient status via history and physical, able to take and evaluate patient's vital signs, and be able to recognize and respond in an appropriate manner to emergency situations. The Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) must quickly report any critical/adverse findings and institute emergency care, in accordance with advanced cardiac life support protocols, until help arrives. Routine responsibilities include inventory management, stocking & cleaning clinical areas/rooms IAW VANTHCS and NMS policy. Informs the appropriate front line supervisor (ex: Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist) when supplies are low/needed. Maintain a clean and orderly work area. The incumbent performs, as well as teaches the proper methods of obtaining high quality EKG tracings at baseline as well as during stress testing, to other personnel in the Service/medical center, including trainees who may rotate through Nuclear Medicine Service. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 7am-3:30pm; 7:30am-4:00pm; 8am-4:30pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized